LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has stepped up his efforts to take control of Southern Rail services amid union claims that passengers and staff were being "held hostage" because of delays and disruption.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has stepped up his efforts to take control of Southern Rail services

Mr Khan said he urgently wants to put a Transport for London team in charge of Southern's services until the Government resolves staffing and industrial relations problems.

The company, owned by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), has cut 341 services from its timetable following weeks of problems caused by staff shortages, increased sickness levels and industrial action over plans to change the role of conductors.

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In a letter to new Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, the Mayor said: "Thousands of Londoners and longer-distance commuters simply cannot get to and from work, and are understandably furious.

"There is no doubt that the franchise must now be in default, and I have previously called for your Department to step in and take control.

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Southern rail has cut 341 services from its timetable following weeks of problems

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Khan wants to put TFL in charge of the train services until staffing issues are resolved

"Notwithstanding the wider discussions on devolution, I now offer to go one step further and put my senior TfL team in charge of the Southern franchise until we get a permanent resolution."

Thousands of Londoners and longer-distance commuters simply cannot get to and from work

London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Meanwhile, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said passengers and staff were being "held hostage" as Brighton Station closed last night due to overcrowding

Services continue to be "plagued" by delays, cancellations and short train formations across the franchise, said the union.

General secretary Mick Cash said: "The situation has now moved from chaotic to downright dangerous, and the continuing attempts to blame that on the front line staff by the company bosses is outrageous.

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